obama and ann romney. [applause] one of the great privileges of working for the commission on presidential debates is to work with jim lehrer. this is the 12th time he will moderate a debate. i'd like to introduce him now. [applause] >> let me be the very last to welcome you to this very important event. show of hands -- have many of you have been in this hall before? you know the rules. absolute silence. for those of you who watched on television, you know the rules are different for these events. in the early days when it restarted addressing the audience of a hall, i would say, ok, you make noise. hiss and boo and applaud and cheer. i will make you stand up and camille you in front of the whole world. i do not do that anymore. -- and humiliate you in front of the whole world. i do not do that anymore. you know the drill. you know how important this event is. it is important because it is about millions of people watching this event tonight. they are watching to make a decision on the most important deci